Dirck Schuyler

Dirck Schuyler was born in March 1740. He was the only surviving son of the eight children born to the marriage of Jacobus and Geertruy Staats Schuyler. His parents raised what turned out to be a small family in the North End of Albany. Jacobus died in 1760 but widow Geertruy lived much longer. A number of same-named but only roughly contemporary individuals dictate caution in the assignment of qualitative information. This sketch focuses on the life of city resident Dirck Schuyler (1740-1806) who sometimes was called "Dirck Schuyler, Jr."

In April 1764, Dirck married Manhattan resident Maria Van Deusen at the Dutch church in New York City. At that time, he was called "Dirck Schuyler, Jr." By 1775, their four children had been christened in Albany where the parents were frequent baptism sponsors beginning in 1772.

These Schuylers raised their family in a Pearl Street home that was valued moderately on city assessment rolls. However, in 1788, his personal property was assessed under the third ward holdings of Captain James Robichaux.

During the 1760s, Dirck was a member of an Albany militia company. He also held a number of civic appointments. Beginning in 1769, he served as constable, watchman, and firemaster in the second ward.

In June 1771, the Albany paper noted that one "Robert Mostean" had a clothing shop in Schuyler's Albany house.

Dirck Schuyler was known as a skipper. In September 1776, his sloop "from Albany" was directed to evacuate the sick from New York to Orangetown by General James Clinton. He seems to have had additional wartime experiences as well. During those years, he was a property owner in the second ward.

In May 1778, he was among those Albany people who signed a petition to the governor for the release of a condemned horse thief. Perhaps, it was his name on an incomplete roster as an enlisted man for the wartime Albany militia regiment. In 1782, he was identified as an ensign in the second regiment of the New York Line who served at least until the end of the war. A Dirck Schuyler served in the artillery afterwards.

At least two other Dirck Schuylers cause us concern. Dirck of NYC (1700-1788) and Dirck (1761-1811) who may have been the officer in the New York Line. Perhaps, yet another Dirck Schuyler, a New Jersey loyalist, lost his holdings via confiscation.